South Dakota Grazing School
2021-09-14 - 2021-09-16
The South Dakota Grazing School is designed for producers and anyone with an interest in learning how to best manage grasslands to benefit livestock.
The agenda features presenters from state and federal agencies, and universities. Area producers share their expertise about various topics related to grazing techniques and grassland management. Participants will hear presentations in the classroom and gain experience with hands-on activities in the field with a pasture allocation activities with cattle.
Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged to participate.
Learn more at https://sdgrass.org/west-river-grazing-school/

SDSU West River Research Farm Tour
2021-09-14 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | SDSU West River Research Farm, 13370 Alkali Rd, Sturgis, SD, 57785, United States
Please join us for a farm tour and discussion at the West River Research Farm 6 miles east of Sturgis. Tour will include discussion on current research at the farm as well as presentations from SDSU researchers and collaborating partners. Dinner will be served.
Date: Tuesday, September 14th, 2021
Time: 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Location: West River Research Farm, 13370 Alkali Rd, Sturgis, SD 57785 (approximately 2 miles east of Buffalo Chip Campground)
Contact for Questions: Chris Graham – SDSU Agronomist
Phone: 605.394.2236
Email: Christopher.graham@sdstate.edu

2021 Master Gardener Update Conference
2021-09-24 - 2021-09-25 | Huron Event Center & Crossroads Hotel, 100 4th St. SW, Huron, SD, 57350
The 2021 Master Gardener Update Conference will be held Sept. 24-25 at the Huron Events Center (501 Wisconsin Ave. SW, Huron, SD 57350). This event is an opportunity to obtain timely, research-based gardening information, enjoy self-guided tours and socialize with Master Gardener colleagues from across the state.
Learn more here.

SD Sheep Growers Association Annual Convention
2021-09-24 - 2021-09-25
The 84th Annual South Dakota Sheep Growers Convention and MIWW contest is fast approaching! The association has worked very hard putting together an interesting tour and information-packed day of formal meetings. This year our convention is in Pierre, September 24th and 25th, 2021. With all the changes and challenges facing the sheep industry, the association believes strongly that it was a great opportunity to shed some light on the future and optimism in the sheep industry. We will begin with a wonderful opportunity for new producers on Friday morning. With the help SDSU Extension, we will host a new producer workshop at the Beastrom Farm. The afternoon program will be all hands-on at the Beastrom Farm. Our reception will be at the Casey Tibbs Museum (https://caseytibbs.com/). Saturday’s traditional convention program will share updates from ASI, ALB, and SDSU, along with several other notable updates. There will be plenty of time for networking and socializing with old friends and a great opportunity to make new ones.
Learn more about this event here.

SD Discovery Center Soil Exhibit Opening
2021-09-24 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | South Dakota Discovery Center, 805 W Sioux Ave., Pierre, SD, 57501
Celebrate the grand opening of the South Dakota Discovery Center’s new soil exhibit! The exhibit features an informational soil mural, interactive kiosks and a soil crawl-through! There will be a ribbon cutting at 5:30 pm!
Please RSVP to attend.
Register for this event here.

Finding the Right Balance Holistic Management Event
2021-10-05 09:30 - 2021-10-07 17:00 (America/New_York) | SweetSpot America Hotel and Business Center, 1125 Boardwalk, White River, SD, 57579, United States
Finding the Right Balance: Managing People, Land, & Wealth for Success
Join this 3-day Holistic Management event featuring guest educators and facilitators Joshua and Tara Dukart. Whether you are new to holistic management or well-seasoned in managing your resources, finances, and relationships using holistic principles, this school is designed with you in mind. Joshua and Tara Dukart of Seek First Ranch in western North Dakota believe ranchers, farmers and other ag professionals have a unique ability to simultaneously and synergistically regenerate soils, build healthy profits, and achieve their desired quality of life and relationships. They also know how challenging it can be to find the right balance when not all team members are pulling in the same direction, when prices are beyond our control, and when weather just won’t cooperate. Holistic Management can help. It’s not a recipe or a how-to guide. Instead, it’s a decision-making framework that helps all team members find the clarity they need to create a successful business and livelihood. It will be three days well-spent. You will leave feeling equipped and empowered. Invite all your decision-makers and team members to participate. Open to ages 12-17 accompanied by a chaperone. Limited spots available, so register soon!
Date & Time: Tuesday-Thursday, Oct 5-7, 2021, 9:30am- 5 pm. Doors open at 9:00 am CT. Class starts at 9:30 am CT.
Location: SweetSpot America Hotel and Business Center, 1125 Boardwalk, White River, SD 57579
Investment: $400 per participant, but THANKS to generous donations from sponsors South Central RC&D and SD Grassland Coalition, adjusted cost to you: $150 for SD Grassland Coalition members, $185 for non-members, $50 per additional participant from the same family or business. Cost includes 3-day tuition, materials, lunches, and snacks.
To register contact Dan Rasmussen at 605-685-3315 or Jewell Bork at 605-530-3713.

Blioux River Ranch Tour
2021-10-06 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Blioux River Ranch, 45696 SD Hwy 22, Castlewood, SD, 57223, United States
Barry and Eli Little’s Operation
45696 SD Hwy 22, Castlewood, SD
October 6, 2021
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
“I don’t think there’s near as many variables for me to worry about as there used to be. I think I’m more realistically confident now than I was then.” − Barry Little
Tour Barry and Eli Little’s Blioux River Ranch near Castlewood, SD, to learn how they use soil health practices to improve their profitability and operational resiliency all while reducing their stress levels!
Included on this tour:
• Cover crops interseeded into standing corn
• Cover crops following wheat
• Livestock integration
• Rangeland rotation
• Rainfall Simulator
FREE ADMISSION! LUNCH PROVIDED!
Register (for lunch count) at: tinyurl.com/LittleTour2021
Persons requiring special accommodations or materials in an alternate format or language please contact Baylee Lukonen at 701-640-8827 or baylee.soilhealth@sdconservation.net two days prior to the event.

Goat Targeted Grazing to Control Eastern Red Cedar Field Day
2021-10-09 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
When: Oct. 9, 10 a.m. CDT
Where: Near Pickstown, southeast Gregory County, South Dakota

Watch goats in action browsing on cedars
Talk with Extension personnel about cedar management
Learn how cedars respond to goat browsing

Directions from Pickstown, S.D.: Travel all the way across to the west end of the Randall Dam. Take a left onto Toe Rd. W., then take the first right onto Ft. Randall Rd. and straight onto Co. Rd. 56. At about 3/4 of a mile turn left into the mowed parking area.
For more information, please contact SDSU Extension personnel:

Kelly Froehlich, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Small Ruminant Production Specialist, Kelly.Froehlich@sdstate.edu
Sean Kelly, SDSU Extension Range Management Field Specialist, Sean.Kelly@sdstate.edu
Sandy Smart, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Senior Program Leader, Alexander.Smart@sdstate.edu
Alanna Hartsfield, SDSU Graduate Research Assistant, Alanna.Hartsfield@sdstate.edu

SDSHC Board Meeting
2021-10-14 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online Event
The October 2021 South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board of Directors meeting will take place via Zoom.

2021 South Dakota Local Foods Conference
2021-11-04 - 2021-11-06 | Online Event
The Local Foods Conference is an annual event celebrating local food production & use in South Dakota. All supporters of local food are invited to attend, listen to, and discuss presentations on specialty crop production, challenges, new technologies & opportunities, and food production projects happening in South Dakota and neighboring states.
The 2021 Conference will be a virtual event. Registration opens late September, 2021.
Learn more here.

SDSHC Board Meeting
2021-11-10 08:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Online Event
The November 2021 South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board of Directors meeting will take place via Zoom.

Low Stress Livestock Handling Workshop - Huron
2021-11-11 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Dr. Christina Porter Farm, 39978 196th St., Huron, SD, 57350, United States
What: Low Stress Livestock Handling Workshop, presented by Dr. Tom Noffsinger, DVM
When: Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST
Where: Dr. Christina Porter Farm, 39978 196th St., Huron, SD. 11 miles north of Huron at the intersection of Hwy 37 and 196th Street.
Lunch will be provided
What you will learn:

Low stress livestock handling techniques
Learn how to receive sale barn calves
Improved immune functioning of your animals
How to identify stress and low function
Improved weaning practices
Creating a safer working environment

Registration: Free to SDGC members, non-members $35
Contact: Dan Rasmussen 605-685-3315, no RSVP required

Low Stress Livestock Handling Workshop - Vale
2021-11-12 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Blair Brothers Angus Ranch Headquarters, 19798 SD HWY 79, Vale, SD, 57788
What: Low Stress Livestock Handling Workshop, featuring Curt Pate
When: Nov. 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MST
Where: Blair Bros Angus, 19798 SD Hwy 79 Vale, SD. From Sturgis, 3 miles east on Highway 34 to Highway 79 then 8 miles north.
This workshop will feature live handling of livestock, and lunch will be provided.
About Curt Pate: For more than two decades, Curt Pate has been conducting demonstrations and clinics on stockmanship, colt starting, horsemanship and safety. His abilities conducting demonstrations along with his ability as an effective communicator have made him a sought-after clinician both on the national and international scene.
Registration is free for SDGC Members and $35 for non-members. Please register for meal count.
To register, contact Riley Kammerer at 605-209-3544.

Range Beef Cow Symposium
2021-11-16 - 2021-11-17 | The Monument, 444 Mt. Rushmore Road N., Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
The XXVII Range Beef Cow Symposium will return to South Dakota Nov. 16 and 17 at the The Monument in Rapid City. Known for its wide-ranging topics, demonstrations and practical applications, the symposium has been held biennially among the four cooperating states — Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming — since 1969.
Learn more and register here.

2021 Ag Horizons Conference
2021-11-30 - 2021-12-01 | Ramkota River Center Pierre, 920 W Sioux Ave., Pierre, SD, 57501, United States
Mark your calendars for the next Ag Horizons Conference, November 30 to December 1, 2021.
The Ag Horizons Conference is hosted by nine organizations: South Dakota Crop Improvement Association, South Dakota Oilseeds Council, South Dakota Pulse Growers, South Dakota Seed Trade Association, South Dakota No-Till Association, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, SD Soil & Water Conservation Society, South Dakota Wheat Inc and SD Assn of Conservation Districts.
Learn more and register here.

SD Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention
2021-11-30 - 2021-12-01 | Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center (Rapid City), 2111 North LaCrosse Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701
The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association 73rd Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held Nov. 30-Dec.1, 2021, at the Rapid City Ramkota.
Learn more and register here.

Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit Conference
2021-12-07 08:45 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Yankton Archery Complex Community Center, 800 Archery Lane, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension and the SDSU Southeast Research Farm will host a seminar for growers interested in soil heath and regenerative agriculture on Dec. 7, from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at Yankton Archery Complex Community Center (800 Archery Lane, Yankton, South Dakota).
2021 Program Schedule

8:45 a.m. CDT– Registration
9:15 a.m. — “Farming With Intention,” Joshua Dukart, North Dakota Ranch Manager and Certified Educator of Holistic Management
10:30 a.m. — Break
10:45 a.m. — “A Look at Cropping Patterns and Profits,” Peter Sexton, Associate Professor and SDSU Extension Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist; and Jack Davis, SDSU Extension Crops Business Management
11:15 a.m. — “Soil Carbon and Economics,” Nick Jorgensen, CEO/CFO of Jorgensen Land and Cattle, Ideal, South Dakota
11:45 a.m. — “Cereal Rye Between Corn and Soybeans: Pros and Cons,” David Karki, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist
12:15 p.m. — Lunch
12:45 p.m. — SDSU Southeast Research Farm Annual Business Meeting
1 p.m. — “Using Cover Crops in an Integrated Livestock-Cropping System: Assessing Soil Health and Livestock Production,” Kevin Sedivec, North Dakota State University Professor and Rangeland Management Specialist
2 p.m. — “Farmer Panel: Cover Crop Grazing on Croplands,” Bruce Carlson, Garretson, South Dakota; Jim Kettelhut, Pukwana, South Dakota; and Joshua Dukart, Hazen, North Dakota
3 p.m. — Break
3:10 p.m. — “Cover Crops Grazing and Soil Health: Can You Have Your Cake and Eat it Too? ,” Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Associate Professor and Beef Systems Specialist
4 p.m. — Survey and wrap-up

For registration and more information, click here.

2021 Livestock Environmental Training for CAFOs Workshop
2021-12-08 08:30 - 16:45 (America/Chicago) | Crossroads Hotel & Convention Center, 100 4th St. SW, Huron, SD
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension will host a livestock environmental training program for concentrated animal feeding operations on Dec. 8 at 8:30 a.m. CST at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron (100 Fourth St. S.W.).
This current training program meets the training requirement of the General Water Pollution Control Permit as long as it is attended within three years of obtaining coverage under the new permit. Manure applicators, producers and any other interested individuals who are not currently applying for a permit can also benefit from the information and are encouraged to attend. Certified Crop Advisor credits are available as well.
Learn more and register here.

SDSHC Board Meeting
2021-12-09 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Raven Precision Agriculture Center, 1030 N Campus Drive, Brookings, SD, 57006, United States
Raven Precision Ag Building
SD Soybean Conference Room
SDSU, Brookings SD
Zoom link

SD Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
2021-12-09 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
SD Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
Building Resilience into Ag & the Environment
When: Dec. 9, 2021, 1-5 p.m.
Where: Online event – Zoom
Register at https://sdswcs.wixsite.com/website/event-details/sd-soil-and-water-conservation-society-annual-conference-1

2021 Soil Management Summit
2021-12-14 08:30 - 2021-12-15 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Mayo Clinic Event Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN, 56001, United States
Cultivating soil productivity and health
The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from long-time no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons.
The Summit features presentations and Q&A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices.
The conference is also being offered in a limited virtual format.
Attendees who attend the entire conference will be offered 11.5 CCA continuing education units (CEUs).

Cost and registration
Early bird registration for this event is $155 and includes all sessions for the two days. After November 30, the cost will be $185. For those attending the virtual sessions, the registration fee is $100.
Scholarships are available to help with the registration cost. For more information, contact Shane at sbugeja@umn.edu.
For more information and registration, visit https://extension.umn.edu/event/2021-soil-management-summit.

SD Grassland Coalition Annual Meeting
2021-12-14 10:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Richie Z’s Brickhouse BBQ and Grill, 401 S Central Ave., Pierre, SD, 57501, United States
South Dakota Grassland Coalition Annual Meeting
Speaker: Glen Elzinga, Alderspring Ranch, Idaho. Organic Grassfed Producer and Marketer.
When: Dec. 14, 2021, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Richie Z’s Brickhouse BBQ and Grill, 401 S Central Avenue, Pierre, SD.
More information: https://sdgrass.org/annual-meeting/

2021 Central Dakota Ag Day
2021-12-16 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center, 663 US-281, Carrington, ND, 58421, United States
Crop and livestock producers will have an opportunity to learn about weed management, cover crops, apps and mapping, grazing strategies, improving calf nutrition, veterinary issues, carbon credits, mitigating risks, and market outlooks, along with weaving resilience into daily life and long-term strategies, during a daylong agricultural program Friday, December 16, at North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center, located 3.5 miles north of Carrington.
The Central Dakota Ag Day program begins with coffee and doughnuts at 9 a.m. Introductions are at 9:15 a.m, and Dr. Greg Lardy, NDSU Vice President for Agricultural Affairs, will present a keynote address on overcoming adversity.
Half-hour concurrent sessions begin at 10:30 a.m., with a break for a sponsored lunch at noon. Concurrent sessions resume at 1:00 p.m, and the day concludes with another keynote address by NDSU Extension Crops Economist Frayne Olson, on incorporating flexibility in crop marketing.
Central Dakota Ag Day is organized by the NDSU Extension offices in Foster, Eddy, Griggs, Sheridan, Stutsman, and Wells counties, as well as the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center.
No registration is required. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Jeff Gale at 701-652-2581 or jeff.gale@ndsu.edu.

Graze Better With Cover Crops
2021-12-21 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Brule County Ag Building, 200 County Road 122, Pukwana, SD, 57370, United States
Brule County Ag Building
200 County Road 122, Pukwana, SD
Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn how to improve grazing lands with the use of cover crops!
• Kent and Pam Geppert operation discussion
• NRCS program discussion
• SD Soil Health Coalition discussion
• Producer panel with Larry Wagner, Reid Suelflow, and Ben Bogenhagen
Lunch provided!
RSVP (for lunch counts) by Dec. 20 at tinyurl.com/PukwanaCoverCrops
Registration is FREE for SD Soil Health Coalition members, $25 for non-members (includes 2022 membership).

2022 Soil Health Conference
2022-01-18 - 2022-01-19 | Best Western Ramkota Hotel Aberdeen SD, 1400 8th Ave NW, Aberdeen, SD, 57401
The 2022 Soil Health Conference keynote speakers will be Dr. Kris Nichols, Jay Fuhrer, Anthony Bly, and Steve Kenyon
To learn more about this conference, visit https://sdsoilhealthcoalition.org/soil-health-conference/

2022 Wall Soil Health Event
2022-01-20 09:30 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Wall Community Center, 501 Main Street, Wall, SD, 57790
Where: Wall Community Center-Grand Hall, 501 Main St, Wall, SD 57790
When: January 20, 2022 (Mountain Time Zone)
Agenda:

9:30 a.m.: Registration / Booths / Coffee
10:00 a.m.: Welcome – South Dakota No-Till Association
10:05 a.m.: Farming and Ranching for Soil Carbon: Management Considerations for the Northern Great Plains Presented by Dr. Mark Liebig, Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, Mandan, ND
11:00 a.m.: Five Principles, Five Figures, Presented by Tanse Herrmann, State Grazinglands Soil Health Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Rapid City, SD
11:45 a.m.: Lunch, Provided by sponsors, please visit their booths!
12:30 p.m.: Climate Impacts on Soils in the Northern Midwest And a Look Ahead at Growing Season 2022, Presented by Dr. Dennis Todey, Director, USDA Climate Hub
1:15 p.m.: Crop Options for Diversity, Presented by Dr. Chris Graham, SDSU, Rapid City, SD
1:45 p.m.: Break
2:00 p.m.: Grain Marketing Options for Western SD Producers, Presented by Jerry Cope, Dakota Mill & Grain, Rapid City, SD
3:00 p.m.: Wrap Up

Preregistration requested no later than January 14, 2022. Email: r2d2sbeck@gmail.com. Call or text 605-280-7917.
Credits: Certified Crop Adviser credits will be available.
Sponsors: South Dakota No-Till Association and other area businesses.
Visit for more information: SDNoTill.com

Northern Plains Food & Farming Conference 2022
2022-01-27 - 2022-01-29 | Holiday Inn Fargo, ND, 3803 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND, 58103
The Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society will hold the Northern Plains Food and Farming Conference Jan. 27-29, 2022, at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND.
Learn more here.

Regenerative Agriculture Discussion
2022-01-27 08:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Dakota Event Center, 720 Lamont St S, Aberdeen, SD, 57401, United States
You are invited to join us on January 27 to hear from 2021 Heinz Award recipient, Gabe Brown, at The Dakota Event Center Aberdeen, SD. Gabe will present, and invite discussion, on regenerative agriculture practices. He is a ND rancher and works nationally with the Soil Health Academy and is a founding partner of Understanding Ag, LLC. He has authored a book, “Dirt to Soil, One Family’s Journey to Regenerative Agriculture.”

All are welcome. Gabe will share and invite conversation for how urban lifestyles can also connect, as we all work together to care for our Earth.

Click here to reserve your FREE spot today!

2022 Mitchell Soil Health Event
2022-02-10 09:30 - 15:45 (America/Chicago) | The Highland Conference Center, 2000 Highland Way, Mitchell, SD, 57301, United States
Where: Highland Convention Center, 2000 Highland Way, Mitchell, SD 57301
When: February 10, 2022
Agenda:

9:30 a.m.: Registration / Booths / Coffee
10:00 a.m.: Welcome – South Dakota No-Till Association
10:05 a.m.: Weather Outlook & Weather Trends for the NC US, Presented by Laura Edwards, State Climatologist, SDSU
10:50 a.m.: Break
11:00 a.m.: The War Against Weeds in No-Till, Presented by Dr. Joe lkley, Extension Weed Specialist, NDSU
12:00 p.m.: Lunch, Provided by sponsors, please visit their booths!
1:00 p.m.: Soil Microbes are Responsive to Your Management, Presented by Dr. Mike Lehman, Soil Microbiologist, USDA-ARS, Brookings, SD
2:00 p.m.: Break, Provided by sponsors – booth time!
2:15 p.m.: Rotations, Residues and Realities, Presented by Peter Johnson, Realagriculture.com, Ontario, Canada
3:45 p.m.: Wrap Up

Preregistration requested by 5pm CT February 4, 2022. Call: 605-996-1564 X 3. Text: 605-530-5390 (cell). Email: heidi.rients@usda.gov.
Credits: Certified Crop Adviser credits will be available.
Sponsors: South Dakota No-Till Association and other area businesses.
Visitor for more information: SDNoTill.com
Persons needing special accommodations should contact Heidi Rients at 605-530-5390 or heidi.rients@usda.gov at least one week in advance of the event. For more information, please go to www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov or call 605-352-1200. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Soil Health Awareness Week
2022-02-13 - 2022-02-19
